Left-of-center social-democratic party emerged from the defunct League of Communists of Macedonia in 1991. Party was launched by North Macedonia's 3rd President and League of Communists leader Branko Crvenkovski. Party had been led by Prime Minister Zoran Zaev (in office from May 31, 2017 to January 3, 2020, and again from August 30, 2020) until December 12, 2021, succeeded by deputy minister of finance Dimitae Kovačevski [Социјалдемократски сојуз на Македонија (СДСМ); Socijaldemokratski Sojuz na Makedonija (SDSM)].